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Why is water a unique substance?

Updated: 5/20/2024
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14y ago

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Every substance is unique, for one reason or another. One not-quite-unique, but rare property of water is that, below 4 degrees C, its density decreases as its temperature decreases, and its density increases as its temperature increases. For most substances, across all temperature ranges, density decreases as temperature increases. If you've ever left a can of cola in the freezer too long, and it exploded, it is because the water (the vast majority of the total volume in the can) expands (volume increases as density decreases) as it freezes. The increased volume is more than the can can contain, so the can explodes, and you get frozen cola all over the inside of your freezer, plus a razor-sharp shredded can that will cut you if you're not careful in removing it.

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14y ago
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3w ago

Water is unique because of its high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb and release a lot of heat without changing temperature significantly. It's also a universal solvent, able to dissolve a wide variety of substances. Additionally, water exhibits strong cohesion and adhesion properties, leading to surface tension and capillary action.

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13y ago

Water is special firstly because it's heavily involved in the processes of converting energy, from the forms of light energy-chemical energy as found in photo-trophic organisms, and also through the anaerobic and aerobic processes in other organisms.. It is also special because it is one of the few liquids, that when solidified, actually becomes less dense, this is why ice floats in water..

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12y ago

The hydrogen bonding causes the hydrogens bonded to be attracted to lone pairs of other atoms/molecules. This makes it a good dissolver of ionic compounds and from that it can conduct electricity.

It is probably the most polar of common liquids too.

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13y ago

One highly anomalous property of water is that it's density decreases as it changes from a liquid to a solid, typically increasing in volume by approximately 9 % (hence ice floats).

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14y ago

Why is water considered a unique molecule?

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11y ago

Water is the only naturally occurring substance that occurs in all three physical states in nature.

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Continue Learning about Chemistry

What substance is unusual because it expands when it goes from a liquid to a solid?

Water is the substance that expands when it freezes. This expansion is due to the unique structure of water molecules, which form a lattice-like arrangement when frozen, causing it to take up more space than when in its liquid state.


If a substance can be dissolved in water what is that substance said to be?

If a substance can be dissolved in water, it is said to be hydrophilic or water-soluble. This means that the substance has an affinity for water and can form a homogeneous solution when mixed with it.


Why is the ocean water not a pure substance?

Ocean water is not a pure substance because it is a mixture of various compounds and elements such as salt, minerals, dissolved gases, and organic matter. These different components give ocean water its unique composition and properties.


What is one substance that is less dense as a solid compared to a liquid?

Water is a substance that is less dense as a solid (ice) compared to its liquid form. This is due to the unique structure of water molecules in ice, which causes them to form a lattice structure that takes up more space and results in a lower density compared to liquid water.


Water is the only substance on earth that?

Water has many unique properties that enabled life to evolve on Earth. The one that is unique is that it expands when it freezes, thus lowering its density. This means that ice floats on water. It is the only compound or element where the solid form floats on the liquid form.

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The weight of displaced water always equals?

water is a unique substance that: 1g=1mL=1cm3


What are water's bad qualities?

Water has several properties that make it a very unique substance. ... the water molecule tends to have a positive charge while the other has a negative charge.


How sodium chloride is a substance that has similar properties as sodium and chlorine or is it an entirely different substance with its own unique properties?

Sodium chloride is it an entirely different substance with its own unique properties.


Is hot water denser than frozen water?

Yes, water is unique in that it is the only substance that expands when frozen. Therefore ice will be less dense in terms of water molecules than room temperature water or heated water


If a substance can be dissolved in water what is that substance said to be?

If a substance can be dissolved in water, it is said to be hydrophilic or water-soluble. This means that the substance has an affinity for water and can form a homogeneous solution when mixed with it.


What is the mane of the substance that makes plants so unique?

Chlorophyll is the substance that makes plants so unique. It allows photosynthesis to occur inside plant cells.


Why are diamonds unique?

Diamond is the hardest known substance.


How do scientifics tests help determine to properties of substance?

Characteristic properties are unique for every different substance.


Why is frozen water so unique?

Water is the only substance that the solid form is less dense than the liquid. This means that it floats. This is very useful because otherwise, the whole ocean would be frozen!


Which substance is not part of a nucleotide *?

water !


What if a Substance A is added to water substance A does not dissolve what term can be to describe the relationship between substance A and water?

A chemist, in describing all the properties of "Substance A" would note that "Substance A is insoluble in water".


What is a substance is water?

A substance which absorb a great quantity of water.